I am a minimalist, and by default so are my two daughters. Minimalism means we live with as few possessions as comfortably possible. If we determine an item is unnecessary or nonfunctional, we typically do not buy it or keep it. Even as a minimalist, decorating is important; especially because the fewer the furnishings, the more impact each piece has within the space.
In 2010, we moved into our 2,800-square-foot urban loft apartment with its 20- to 30-foot ceilings. I've tried to find that decorating balance of being minimalistic yet homey, but my efforts have been in vain. Unfortunately, the loft today looks much like it did when we moved in. Lofts can be a decorator's dream… but mine is more like a stark nightmare. Here are seven of my best-intention decorating attempts that turned out to be my worst mistakes:
1. Disco kitchen: I hung a disco ball on a blue chain from the track-lighting bar in my kitchen. A friend had given it to me for my previous house and it had sent
...Read More »- Freshome | Wed, Nov 7, 2012 2:37 PM EST | Comments
A living room without a coffee table is a lot like a supermodel without lipstick, undone. Just as lipstick is one detail that can complete a look, so too can the perfect coffee table. Coffee tables serve several purposes; from completing a look, to storage and display they are much needed in a space. The question is which style will work for your room. Should you go with a wood one with chunky legs, metallic with a glass top; should it be round, square or rectangular? The options are endless and at times can be overwhelming. My ten tips will help break down the maze of decisions and steer you in the direction of the perfect coffee table.
Budget
The price points for a coffee table can range from ultra-expensive to very budget friendly, so before you start shopping know what you have to spend on it. Your overall budget should be broken down to into areas such as, accessories, lighting and furniture. The furniture line item includes the sofa, side tables, chairs and coffee table, with a
...Read More » - Y! Homes | Design Center | Wed, Aug 22, 2012 5:39 PM EDT | Comments
(Credit: Glidden)
As summer turns to autumn, gorgeous hues of red, orange and gold decorate the trees across much of the country. But it's not just Mother Nature that's changing colors for fall — homeowners are getting in on the act as well.
There's a lot to do to get the outside of your home ready for fall, but that doesn't mean you need to neglect the inside. A quick coat of paint can brighten up any room, and it certainly costs less than any remodeling job. To help homeowners choose new colors and stay on trend, Ohio-based paint company Glidden has compiled its list of must-have colors for fall.
According to Pantone, the company which largely sets color-formula standards for fashion and home-goods manufacturing, "fantasy and illusion" are inspiring color choices this season. "With an unexpected mix of darks, brights and neutrals, [these colors] cleverly manipulate reality to transport consumers to an enchanting place, free from the stresses of everyday life," says Leatrice Eiseman, executive direct
...Read More » - Y! Homes | Design Center | Wed, Aug 22, 2012 5:39 PM EDT | CommentsWhile bedroom trends may change -- wallpaper is back, matching sets are out -- the basic premise behind your bedroom should be your own unique sense of luxury, comfort and relaxation.
(Photo: Shutterstock)
The master bedroom is meant to be a refuge from the rest of the world, and sometimes, the rest of the house. Pick soothing colors, grand objects and comfortable bedding to create the perfect, restful place that is conducive to sleep.
When it comes to your bedrooms, remember to keep the design simple. Even if you're a fan of bold colors and eclectic design, take a step back and don't overdo it. Pick a focal point (hint: it should be something around the bed) and design the room around that one piece. Make your biggest statement with your bed, comforters or headboard and then find complementary pieces around it.
Symmetry
Symmetry isn't so much a trend in bedroom design as it is the bedrock of bedroom design. A bed is naturally sliced in half with each side mirroring the other. The two bedside tables should ...Read More »
(Photo: Shutterstock)
In a master bath, dual basins provide compact personal space. A private toilet room is essential.
To a plumber, the difference between one bathroom and another is a matter of slope. Some baths are bigger, some have more fixtures, but in the end, everything flows downhill.MORE AT ZILLOW
Get the fresh water in. Get the waste water out. Mission accomplished.
But good bathroom planning is more than just connecting the pipes, especially when space and budgets are tight. There are many possible configurations and types of baths and a large number of finishes and fixtures to select. It's one of the most expensive rooms in the house.
We all know what a bathroom is used for (that hasn't changed!), but homes today are getting by with fewer – and smaller – baths. Making that work means understanding the basic ingredients of a well-planned bath.
[Planning to remodel your bathroom? Click to find the right contractor now.]
...Read More »The Muck Stops Here
A utility bath needs only a toilet and basin, maybe a shower. Fancify it and it'll easily serve as a guest bat …
- Y! Homes | Design Center | Wed, Oct 3, 2012 12:34 PM EDT | Comments
(Photo: Patrica Dunlop)
Decorating trends come and go, and what was popular years ago now seems incredibly dated (think gold and green shag carpeting from the '70s, along with heavy drapery and faux Tuscan furniture). Luckily, what's "in" for bathroom vanities this coming year is a lot more practical and basic than in years past.
According to Patricia Dunlop, owner of Boise-based Fine Kitchens and Baths, bathroom vanities will have clean lines, plenty of storage space and great lighting in 2013. "Cabinetry in general is moving toward simpler, cleaner lines — either a flat panel or a shaker style door," Dunlop notes. "Perhaps this is in response to the spa-like feel people are after: clean, quiet spaces with interesting details — but not fussy."
Many homeowners are opting for non-traditional woods to help get that personal spa look. Rift-cut woods, which have very straight grains, have become increasingly popular as have laminates with straight patterns, bamboo, zebra and other exotic species of wood. Th
...Read More » 
(Photo: Freshome)
When you approach home design, you likely do so in a couple of different ways – choosing objects and colors that simply look attractive or using an existing pattern or decor theme to govern your decisions.
However, color is a powerful tool that can be used to inspire emotions, create space illusions or simply set the mood and atmosphere for any particular room. Especially when used with interior and exterior painting, color psychology is a great way to create a healthy and beautiful home. The following are 20 ways to use color psychology in your home.
1. Create the illusion of space with bright colors: If you want your home to look larger than it really is – especially when it is about to go on the market – you can use bright and vibrant colors like yellows and eggshells to add space to yo...Read More »- Y! Homes | Design Center | Wed, Sep 19, 2012 3:33 PM EDT | CommentsAlthough summer is the dominant season for outdoor entertaining, don't overlook the potential of fall for the best outdoor parties. The fall air is crisp and cooler, the sun isn't quite so bright and the leaves are turning beautiful shades of gold, orange, purple and brown.
Dutch designer Ingrid Jansen's orange chairs and a wool garland: Fall decor doesn't have to be over the top. (Photo …
With such a beautiful atmosphere, you don't have to do a lot to create an atmosphere for a fall party. Focus on simple things like natural decorations, lighting, seating and adding warmth.
Decorations
You can't go wrong adopting a harvest theme and decorating with fresh pumpkins, corn and gourds.
Pumpkins are especially versatile. Hollow out a pumpkin, fill it with ice and you have an instant cooler for drinks. If you love power tools, drill holes in a hollowed-out pumpkin and put candles inside for a unique effect. You can also cut the top off a mini-pumpkin and hollow out a small hole for votives.
(Photo credit: Shutterstock)
Reimagine the way you use dried decorative corn by stringing several ears together, tying them with twine and hanging
...Read More » - CasaSugar | Tue, Sep 18, 2012 4:36 PM EDT | Comments
Erin, who blogs at Skoots and Cuddles and whose bedroom we featured earlier this week, is one of those moms who seems to do it all. When she isn't parenting three kids and working as a graphic designer, she's updating her blog on her latest home decorating and improvement projects. She's been decorating her master bedroom, and though she notes that she's not quite finished, she was happy to share photos of the cool space with CasaSugar readers. Check out some of Erin's thoughts about decorating her master bedroom!
Where she finds inspiration: "I love interior design and am an avid magazine and blog reader. I find inspiration for decorating my house in anything I find beautiful . . . a piece of art, a chandelier, a rug or even an paint color. Every room in my house starts with a single item that I love, then I build the room from there."
Her focal point and inspiration for the master bedroom: "In the case of my master bedroom, I created the room around the artwork above my bed from Foc
...Read More » - CNBC.com | Tue, Aug 28, 2012 2:02 PM EDT | Comments
(Photo: TopTenRealEstateDeals.com)
The specialty features of luxury homes are pretty commonplace: wine cellar, home gym, swimming pool and perhaps an equestrian stable. Yet for some of the most exclusive addresses, extremely distinctive features set them apart from the rest.
TopTenRealEstateDeals.com reached out to its network of real estate professionals throughout the country to find 10 of the most compelling listings for millions of dollars — in several of the following five cases, many millions of dollars. See the rest of the top 10 on CNBC's website.
The following five properties reveal different ways to party. They include a disco, 3-D projector screen and a once-illegal bar.
East Village Penthouse
Location: New York
Price: $3.9 million
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 4
Square Footage: 2,400It’s hard to miss a pivotal element of this East Village penthouse duplex, made from two apartments: a slide between floors. TopTenRealEstateDeals.com says it belonged to Phil Galfond, a 27-year-old pro poker player who had the slide i...Read More »
(Photo: TopTenRealEstateDeals.com)
- Dornob | Thu, Dec 13, 2012 7:00 PM EST | Comments
area bed 1
Although not a hard and fast rule, common design practices dictate that the bed most often is placed against a wall. This not only hides the unsightly back of the headboard, but also provides a bit of physical stability for this important piece of furniture. Designer Alain Gilles, working with Belgian bed makers Magnitude, has turned the bed into much more than a heavy object to be shoved into the corner.
area bed 2
area bed 3
The Area Bed is a combination bed headboard and room divider. Its modular pieces come together to create a sort of low wall, behind which can exist any number of hidden items – inventing a kind of a room within a room.
area bed 4
area bed 5
The wall can also conceal a dressing area, low bookshelves, or even a decadent freestanding bathtub. Its dual purposes mean that it functions as part of the room’s overall architecture rather than simply a piece of furniture.
area bed 6
area bed 7
For shared living spaces, the wall can serve to block out the rest of the room, hiding the bed as well as a desk to create an entirel
...Read More » 
home office inspiration 3
The home office is not only a place to work, but a place to express your own personal style. Wood office furniture spans a huge variety of styles and design philosophies, allowing your style to show through while you toil away.
home office inspiration 5
home office inspiration 1
home office inspiration 7
The home office line from Huelsta embraces the character of natural wood as a sophisticated, modern material. Mixing wood with metal, leather, textiles and even stone in these design ideas brings out the versatility of this basic building material.
home office inspiration 2
home office inspiration 6
Rich with working space, inspiration zones and comfy places to sit and think, these home office examples seem like the perfect places to let creativity shine.
home office inspiration 4
home office inspiration 8
home office inspiration 9
Because today’s home office is often a somewhat non-traditional working environment, these ideas span from large, dedicated rooms to a simple desk in the corner of a living room.
...Read More »- Y! Homes | Design Center | Wed, Dec 12, 2012 9:23 PM EST | Comments'Tis the season for entertaining. And what kind of holiday party would it be without a party favor to remind guests of the fabulous party you threw?
(Photo credit: Bumble Bee's Craft Den)
There are so many different party favors to consider, but whether you're buying cute Christmas ornaments or monogrammed napkins for each party guests, those take-home goodies can add up.
Don't let expensive party favors keep you from throwing the holiday party of the year. Instead, craft your own DIY-treats that put a smile on your guests' face — and keep more of your money in your wallet.
Remember Rudolph. Everyone knows the Christmas song featuring Santa's most famous reindeer, so bring him to life for your guests this holiday season. Purchase brown washcloths or cloth napkins and bars of scented soap from a dollar store, one for every guest of your party. Then, wrap the soap in the washcloth following the tutorial on Bumble Bee's Craft Den.
Once you've created ears and a face, add googely eyes, a red nose and antlers made of brown pipe
...Read More » - Y! Homes | Design Center | Wed, Dec 12, 2012 9:06 PM EST | CommentsChristmas décor includes everything from Santa mug collections to candy canes in every color of the rainbow to an array of twinkling holiday lights that brighten up dark winter nights.
(Photo credit: Kristen Brandenburg)
Decorating your home for Christmas is a great way to create warm and lasting memories for you and your loved ones. But don't let the stress of trying to pull off "the perfect Christmas look" get you down. Just as you add your own personal taste when decorating your home, your Christmas décor can be as unique as you are.
The first step in creating a personalized Christmas display is choosing the right color scheme.
Are you a traditionalist? Do you ooze elegance and glamour? Maybe you're a trend-setter who's always one step ahead of the curve? No matter how you define yourself, these festive color options will suit any personality:
Traditional
Red and green is probably the most recognized Christmas décor color palette and you can find tons of ornaments and accessories to purchase. Unless you've been colle...Read More »
(Photo credit: Jennifer Holmes)
- Dornob | Tue, Dec 11, 2012 7:00 PM EST | Comments
storage mirror
Maybe you already have a medicine cabinet or sufficient under-sink cupboard space for everyday essentials. If your mirror is free to be something else, like a built-in jewelry box, this product may have something to offer.
storage mirror jewerly hangers
This is about favorite necklaces you may suspend from a hidden rack, rings you want to keep safely out of the way in side drawers. Intentionally indirect, though not exactly secret, these become accessible only with greater intention than simply opening a front door.
storage mirror colored drawers
Céline Merhand and Anaïs Morel of Les M Design Studio: “the mirror unfolds to reveal a colorful system for the organization of jewelry and fashion accessories. “Precious” offers a pull-out bar with hooks to neatly hang necklaces and earrings.
storage mirror side drawers
“A set of removable boxes can accommodate bracelets, rings and the smallest items. The boxes in different shapes and colors, can be playfully assembled in multiple variations, creating an ever-changing setting.”
...Read More » - Remodelista | Tue, Dec 11, 2012 2:30 PM EST | Comments
I have a thing for S hooks, so when I spotted this clever pot rack in the home of one of the designers behind LuckyBoySunday (it's featured on Design Sponge), I took note. All you need is an appealing ladder and some S hooks; our kind of DIY.
Above: The kitchen of Camilla Ebdrup and her photographer husband, Andrea Stenmann, features a ladder casually leaning against a wall; see more of the house at Design Sponge.
Above: The Submergent Ladder from Lostine is made of oak with a dark stain; $348 at Anthropologie.
Above: The Brooklyn Copper Cookware Saucepan is $259 at West Elm and will last a lifetime (it's made in Brooklyn and features a hand-smithed copper base, a solid cast brass handle, and a pure tin lining).
...Read More » - With Christmas just around the corner, if you haven't trimmed your tree already, it's time! Whether you opt for a fully lit falsie or the real thing (cut down of course at a Christmas tree farm), the decorations you hang on your tree set the tone for the season.
But Christmas trees aren't all red, white and green. In fact, many designers are experimenting with bright neon colors, white trees and monochromatic ornaments.
Whether your home is ultra-modern or country chic, today's vast array of ornaments and accessories make it easy to incorporate Christmas tree decorations into your overall home décor.
Modern loft. High ceilings mean your space can handle a big tree with large, bold ornaments and a tall tree topper. Wood floors, exposed brick and ductwork on display are the perfect backdrop for a modern twist on a traditional tree. Once the tree is lit, trim the branches with mostly white and silver balls, then sprinkle in some of your favorite colors as accents. Add bows, tinsel and an
...Read More » The holidays are upon us at last, and with it, festive additions to our to-do list. Don't fret! Follow these 10 steps to creating a holiday-ready home in no time.
1. Make the most of your tree. The tree is the biggest holiday focal point in any home, whether it's a 10-foot tall giant or a tiny tabletop tree. If you're using an artificial tree, get one that's pre-lit so you don't have to mess with lights. If you prefer a "live" cut tree, remember to trim the trunk at least two inches and keep it watered. Don't let it dry out or you'll have a droopy, needle-less treet. Decorate it with meaningful things you love, whether it's handmade gifts from a child or an antique ornament that's been passed down for generations.
2. Make your home's first impression a welcoming one! Replace your old or worn welcome mat with a new one for the holidays and you'll be amazed at how it brightens up your entryway. Personalized mats also make great gifts.
3. Bring on the guests. Keep a bottle
...Read More »With the sparkle of snow, the twinkle of lights, the rich colors of Christmas, and the ambiance and traditions of the holidays, this season is full of crafting inspiration. Whether it's for decorating your home or creating homemade gifts for others, it's the perfect time of year to get your hands busy making one-of-a-kind items that will become keepsakes in years to come. Here are eight homemade crafts for the holidays you must try:
1. Advent calendar - For less than $10, make a homemade advent calendar that will become a family heirloom. Cut a large rectangle of heavy felt approximately 16"x 24", then arrange and glue 24 pockets approximately 3"x2" along the bottom (six rows of four pockets). Cut one larger pocket (for Day #25) to adorn the top of the calendar. Use metallic squeeze paint to write the numbers 1 - 25 on the pockets, and a "Merry Christmas" heading at the top. Make your calendar ready for hanging by gluing a dowel rod to the top and adding decorative ribbon.
2. Holid
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Click any photo to go to a slideshow of space-saving Christmas tree alternatives. (All photos here are from IK …
Oh, sure, a fantabulous giant Christmas tree with all the trimmings is great for those who have the wherewithal. But what about holiday revelers who don't have room for a normal Christmas tree, let alone such a behemoth?
And what about families that want a tree they can use year after year -- or maybe even other times of year?
We've got you covered.
Yahoo! Homes has researched space-saving alternatives to the traditional Christmas tree, with a special emphasis on options that can be reused -- ideally long past the holidays. We've collected them here and in an accompanying slideshow with even more photos.
We also talked to IKEA for tips, since it's a global authority on small-space living. Among IKEA's suggestions:
Go flat. The wall pictured at the top is adorned with IKEA's trompe l'oeil-style Margareta fabric ($6.99 a yard) depicting a spruce, and (real) Julmys gift bags ($7.99 for a pack of 24) are attached to make an Advent calendar. Idea: You could photograph a tree and custom-pri
...Read More »
